The X-ray Lightcurve of WR 140

Abstract

WR 140 is a canonical massive "colliding wind" binary system in which periodically-varying X-ray emission is produced by the collision between the wind of the WC7 and O4-5 star components in the space between the two stars. We have obtained X-ray observations using the RXTE satellite observatory through almost one complete orbital cycle including two consecutive periastron passages. We discuss the results of this observing campaign, and the implications of the X-ray data for our understanding of the orbital dynamics and the stellar mass loss.

6 pages, 5 figures, Published in proceedings of "Stellar Winds in Interaction", editors T. Eversberg and J.H. Knapen. Full proceedings volume is available on http://www.stsci.de/pdf/arrabida.pdf

Cited by in corpus (4)

• X-ray emission from interacting massive binaries: a review of 15 years of progress
• He II 4686 in eta Carinae: collapse of the wind-wind collision region during periastron passage
• Phase-resolved XMM-Newton and swift observations of WR 25
• Understanding the Unusual X-Ray Emission Properties of the Massive, Close Binary WR 20a: A High Energy Window into the Stellar Wind Initiation Region